Above are the links where you can learn more about Autism Speaks, and their event Light It Up Blue on April 2nd, 2017. You can even commit to wearing blue for autism awareness. Awareness day isn't insultingNow I've seen many boycott this whole #LIUB event merely because they think it is insulting. "Autistic people are normal people. Why do they need a whole month to act like it's a disability?" And then there are other parents on the opposite end stating, "Autism sucks. It isn't something cute, or a blessing in disguise. We don't need a day to glamorize it." (Click here to read my article on Glamorizing Autism). I'll just come out and say it. I do not relate to those parents at all. Not one bit. I mean we, as a society, still have to have a Black History Month because people aren't remembering the information. So why can't we have an awareness month for a socially and developmentally debilitating diagnosis that people still don't understand? Parents complain about it all the time. About how they have to correct strangers who say, "He doesn't look autistic" or "She's looks you in the eye, she doesn't have autism." These are REAL life complaints of the same parents who now are "disgusted" with the idea of needing a whole day to educate the WORLD on their child's disabilities. Sorry for sounding very bias on the issue but it doesn't make sense to me. Above I linked an article I found that discusses one side of the opposition of Autism Awareness Day and while there are many comments supporting her article, I can still say I disagree. Her article is very good in many ways, and I empathize with her hatred of corporate business running the Light It Up Blue rather than actual autistic people. However, it is wise spread that Light It Up Blue is for autism. People don't see a business needing advertising. Outside the autistic community, how does the public know the difference? They don't. They understand that the blue is for ASD awareness. That's it. And it's our responsibility to educate the public on the difference. A parents job to illuminate the veil of autism and expose others to it. How else can we do that without a day where everyone in the world is aware of it? It's a bit more difficult to do without the help of the Light It Up Blue event. I mean, I am no donating to Autism Speaks. I'm not going to their event, or widely sharing my support of Autism Speaks. I'm showing someone I love has autism and getting the chance to do my own story as a parent. But I'll leave the choice up to you, parents and supporters in the community. Either side of the argument we still have a journey ahead of us that isn't going to be easy. Autism is a challenge. I wouldn't say a blessing, I wouldn't say a curse, but it is hard work. However, if the hard work is put in, an autistic child can show just how amazing their talents are.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorGabrielle Rae is a special needs, stay at home mommy of two boys. She enjoys reading and writing novels in her spare time. @onbothfrontsArchives
August 2018
Tell me. |